AN SEABHAC. Rosc Don Seabhac. Ar ócáid a Ochtóú Lae Breithe. A Rhapsody for An Seabhac on the occasion of his 80th birthday that P[ádraig] Ó F[iannachta] composed [later Monsignor Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, 1927-2016]. To be read at the commemorative dinner on 10 March 1963 in the Gresham [Hotel]. Single foolscap sheet printed in double column on one side only. SIGNED BY AN SEABHAC ON HIS 80th BIRTHDAY

With: Gresham Hotel Menu Card, signed by An Seabhac. Poem folded and attached to Menu with rusty staple. In very good condition.
O folk of St Brendan,
among us is our patron,
the talented Pádraig
from lively Góilín [=Baile an Ghóilín, An Seabhac‟s birthplace, 3 miles west of Dingle]
of pure Cleary
and valiant Sugrue blood [An Seabhac‟s mother was named Ellen Cleary, his father Patrick Sugrue].
He answered that call
early in life
to assist the Irish language
when it was at a low ebb.
With stressful errand-running
on his lively little bicycle,
with his mirthful violin,
he roused the Gaels
of southern Ireland.
With Fíonán [Mac Coluim] and [Seán] Tóibín
and knowledgeable Cormac [Ó Cadhlaigh],
he lit An Lóchrann [bilingual journal, The Lantern, published 1907-13]
for the Gaels of Ireland.
He collected stories,
learning and music
from Ennis to Youghal,
and to the Great Blasket in the west.
On O‟Donnell‟s kerne,
on Tadhg over the sea,
on Dáire and on Ómarach, [=names of characters in his works]
he wrote freshly for us.
He gave us sportive Jimín [Mháire Thaidhg],
Flúirsín and Móirín,
and beery Seáinín.
In Dublin itself
he fought the battle for Irish.
He effectively directed
the Irish Books‟ Press.
He enticed towards learning
his neighbours and relatives,
and hundreds of strangers.
To the great Irish populace
he gave to read
[Tomás] Ó Criomhthainn of the frieze,
his Allagar [na hInse – „Island Disputation‟ – the first book by T. Ó Criomhthainn] and his lucid tale.
Along with Máire Ní Chinnéide
he bestowed on Peig Sayers
esteem and proper authority.
Shepherding the three counties,
the great Irish Oireachtas [=annual Gaelic festival],
the Irish Folklore Society –
that is more of his work.
But I must draw my words to a close,
and not speak of them at all.
But we pray for length of life for him.
The grace and favour of God to him,
to this hero of the Fianna.
May Holy Brendan
and all his friends together protect [everyone]
from An Cuaisín to Howth.
and, O President of Ireland [=Éamon de Valera],
you are one of them yourself.
Menu [Note: Translations of some of the following names are somewhat uncertain.] Máire Thaidhg‟s
wild carrots; Corncrake Tomato Soup; Peig‟s Light Dark Soup?; Dulse Harbour Plaice; Old Bridget‟s
Roast Chicken; Tadhg Neillí‟s Grilled Bacon; Flúirsín‟s Small Peas; Seáinín‟s French Beans; Pats
Tommy‟s Potatoes; Fiannachta Fiaclach‟s Pear Stew; Mac Céin‟s Magic Sauce; Dáire Dorn; Méinín‟s
Coffee.

[L4 FileA]